An M1A1 Main Battle Tank fires from its main gun Sept. 26 during a practice shoot for the 2012 Tiger Competition aboard Camp Lejeune. The next day, a crew from 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, consisting of Sgt. Linh Ngo, tank commander; Cpl. Ryan Hanna, gunner; Lance Cpl. Delio Linares, loader; and Lance Cpl. Domenic Kalaski, driver, defeated crews from 1st Tank Battalion and 4th Tank Battalion to win the tournament and capture the Gunnery Sergeant Robert H. McCard Cup. - An M1A1 Main Battle Tank fires from its main gun Sept. 26 during a practice shoot for the 2012 Tiger Competition aboard Camp Lejeune. The next day, a crew from 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, consisting of Sgt. Linh Ngo, tank commander; Cpl. Ryan Hanna, gunner; Lance Cpl. Delio Linares, loader; and Lance Cpl. Domenic Kalaski, driver, defeated crews from 1st Tank Battalion and 4th Tank Battalion to win the tournament and capture the Gunnery Sergeant Robert H. McCard Cup.

After a year of transition during its initial operating capability period, Marine Corps Installations Pacific achieved full operational capability Oct. 1. Full operational capability means MCIPAC possesses a fully-developed capability to oversee, direct, and coordinate installation core functions, including training and operations support, command and staff support, and community services. - After a year of transition during its initial operating capability period, Marine Corps Installations Pacific achieved full operational capability Oct. 1. Full operational capability means MCIPAC possesses a fully-developed capability to oversee, direct, and coordinate installation core functions, including training and operations support, command and staff support, and community services.

AV-8 Harriers with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly in formation after conducting aerial refueling training operations, Sept 23. The training consisted of MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers conducting aerial refueling with the 24th MEU's KC-130J Hercules aircraft to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - AV-8 Harriers with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly in formation after conducting aerial refueling training operations, Sept 23. The training consisted of MV-22B Ospreys and AV-8B Harriers conducting aerial refueling with the 24th MEU's KC-130J Hercules aircraft to practice the skills needed for long-range flight operations. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

An AV-8B Harrier II Plus with Marine Attack Squadron 211, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), awaits its next mission on the tarmac at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2012. The aircraft provides air support to the ground units throughout Helmand and Nimroz provinces. Despite a roller coaster week for the squadron, VMA-211 remains fully operational and continues to provide support to ground troops throughout Regional Command Southwest?s area of operations. - An AV-8B Harrier II Plus with Marine Attack Squadron 211, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), awaits its next mission on the tarmac at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2012. The aircraft provides air support to the ground units throughout Helmand and Nimroz provinces. Despite a roller coaster week for the squadron, VMA-211 remains fully operational and continues to provide support to ground troops throughout Regional Command Southwest?s area of operations.

Gunnery Sgt. Rodolfo Gonzalez, disbursing chief, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads a book in his office, on the USS Peleliu, Sept. 22. The United Through Reading program helps connect servicemembers to their family members by providing them the opportunity to record themselves reading a book to their loved ones. The recordings can be up to 30 minutes long. If the servicemembers brought the book with them, they can mail the book with the recording back home. If they didn?t bring books, they can borrow one from the unit. - Gunnery Sgt. Rodolfo Gonzalez, disbursing chief, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, reads a book in his office, on the USS Peleliu, Sept. 22. The United Through Reading program helps connect servicemembers to their family members by providing them the opportunity to record themselves reading a book to their loved ones. The recordings can be up to 30 minutes long. If the servicemembers brought the book with them, they can mail the book with the recording back home. If they didn?t bring books, they can borrow one from the unit.

U.S. Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, participate in a Key Leader Engagement lane during Enhanced Mohave Viper Range 220, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. July 19, 2011. The training was in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. - U.S. Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, participate in a Key Leader Engagement lane during Enhanced Mohave Viper Range 220, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. July 19, 2011. The training was in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

Marines prepare to fire rounds from an M777A2 155 mm howitzer at East Fuji Maneuver Area in mainland Japan, Sept. 11. The Marines wait for fire commands from the fire direction center prior to sending rounds downrange. The Marines are with Battery O, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Marines prepare to fire rounds from an M777A2 155 mm howitzer at East Fuji Maneuver Area in mainland Japan, Sept. 11. The Marines wait for fire commands from the fire direction center prior to sending rounds downrange. The Marines are with Battery O, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Different ranks are pinned on to a range coach?s cover as a thank you for helping them qualify as an expert on Carlos Hathcock Range Complex aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Sept 20. It is a tradition for Marines to give coaches their rank insignia if it is their first time shooting expert on the range. - Different ranks are pinned on to a range coach?s cover as a thank you for helping them qualify as an expert on Carlos Hathcock Range Complex aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Sept 20. It is a tradition for Marines to give coaches their rank insignia if it is their first time shooting expert on the range.